Krispy Kreme has emerged as a front runner as it has released a responsible palm oil commitment that requires its suppliers to comply with a higher standard than the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) by ending the destruction of rainforests, peatlands and abuse of human and labor rights.

In order to drive real change, Krispy Kreme should require compliance across suppliers’ entire operations, and publish a time-bound plan with an assertive deadline to cut Conflict Palm Oil.

Current Palm Oil Commitment (September 2014):

Requires suppliers to go beyond the inadequate standards of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and end the destruction of rainforests, peatlands and abuse of human and labor rights

Requires palm oil to be traceable to the plantation level

Applies to all branded products in all countries where products are made and sold

Sets a deadline for compliance in global operations by the end of 2016

Commits to “only source from suppliers whose operations are legally produced, fully traceable to the plantation level and verified as free of deforestation, expansion onto peatlands, and the violation of human and labor rights”

Requires suppliers that are not in compliance “to submit a viable action plan for closing any identified gaps, or risk removal from the brand’s supply chain.”

Has a commitment to transparent reporting on progress towards full implementation of commitment